Support structures for signs and the like

ABSTRACT

There is disclosed a support structure for road warning signs and the like including a first tubular bar, a second tubular bar telescopically disposed within the first bar, first sign engagement means mounted on the upper end of the second tubular bar, second sign engagement means movably disposed on the first tubular bar, sign stabilizing means movably disposed intermediate the first and second sign engagement means and a plurality of legs provided adjacent the lower end of the first tubular bar, the legs being adapted for movement into a retracted position and a supporting position.

United States Patent [72] inventors Henry B011 1,006,427 10/191 1 Boracks 248/171 Elmhurst; 2,386,450 10/1945 Eller 248/171 Richard Nelson, La Grange Park, both 01 2,598,753 6/1952 Bolsey 248/171 Ill. 3,200,786 8/1965 Swezy et al. 40/125 N [211 App]. No. 866,682 3,231,230 1/1966 Mueller 248/488 [22] Filed d. 15, 1969 FOREIGN PATENTS g :F 2 214,604 5/1957 Australia 248/125 1 1 m 460,778 /1913 France 248/488 881,317 6/1953 Germany 248/171 Primary Examiner-Marion Parsons, Jr. [54] SUPPORT STRUCTURES FOR SIGNS AND THE An y -Ba il E, D meur LIKE 7 Clalms,6 Drawing Figs. V Mum V g [52] US. Cl. 248/171, ABSTRACT: Th e is disclosed a support structure for road 248/488 warning signs and the like including a first tubular bar, a [51] Int. Cl ..F16rn 11/38 second r bar telescopically disposed within h fi t Field 0! Search 248/171, fi t i engagement means mounted on the upper end of the 172, 121, 125, 126, 488, 473, 464, 453,452, 451, econd tubular bar, second sign engagement means movably 449, 316 A; 1 N disposed on the first tubular bar, sign stabilizing means movably disposed intermediate the first and second sign en- [56] References Cited gagement means and a plurality of legs provided adjacent the UNITED STATES PATENTS lower end of the first tubular bar, the legs being adapted for 557,575 4/1896 Gibson 248/488 movement into a retracted position and a supporting position.

'1 5| 2 3 41 I 4 B38 I 11 I 9 o sg 4 46 I 1 x 8| I PATENTEDuuv 16 ml 3,620,496

SHEET 1 0F 2 FIGI HENRY BOLT ATTORNEY.

12 INVENTORS.

PATENTEDunv 1s |97l saw 2 or 2 FIGB 48 v 'IH 52 E3111.. 53 56 I 55 54 INVENTOR HENRY BOLT RICHARD NELSON SUPPORT STRUCTURES FOR SIGNS AND THE LIKE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Many forms of stand structures are shown and described in Yet another object of this invention is to provide a novel support structure for signs and the like of the type described wherein the sign support means comprises a first tubular bar having the stand means for supporting the structure movably the prior an Hence various forms f stands are known f 5 disposed adjacent the lower end thereof, and a second tubular roadway warning signs, for portable movie screens, for telescopes, for portable tables, and other such multifarious uses. However, many problems may exist with the stands employed for particular use in connection with roadway warning signs for the reason that these stands must be easily portable, extremely durable and subject to rough treatment and easily assembled and disassembled.

Currently, many of the stands which are commercially available are easily assembled and disassembled but these are usually either formed of such lightweight material as to be unsuitable for highway use, or having so many moving parts as to be easily damaged upon repeated use and when handled in a rough manner. Other stands which currently are in use require the use of sandbags or other extraneous weighted elements for holding the stand with a sign supported thereon erect. In this connection, it is to be noted that roadway warning signs must be able to withstand excessive vacuum pressures of the magnitude generated when large vehicles, such as semitrailer trucks, pass these structures on an open highway at high speeds. However, the forms of stands which require additional weighted elements to hold them erect pose a problem for construction and/or utility companies and the like since the crews using these stands must carry sandbags or such other weights with them to the job site. Hence, such stands are neither economically efficient nor are they easily assembled and disassembled. Still other stands which are in use are designed for easy portability since they are not collapsible into compact form for easy transport to and from the job site. In addition, such stands require a great deal of space in the transporting vehicle thereby often necessitating the use of an extra vehicle for carrying such stands and accompanying signs to and from the job site, which is economically inefiicient.

lt is therefore one object of the present invention to provide an improved stand construction for roadway signs and the like.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel stand construction which is heavy weight and durable while being easily assembled and disassembled.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a stand construction which includes a minimum number of moving parts while being easily collapsible into a compact form for facilitating storage and transportation to and from a job site.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a novel support structure for signs and the like which includes sign support means having upper and lower ends respectively, stand means movably mounted on the sign support means adjacent the lower end thereof and adapted for movement into a support position for supporting the sign support means upon an underlying support surface, first sign engagement means movably mounted on the sign support means adjacent the upper end thereof, second sign support means movably mounted on the sign support means adjacent the lower end thereof, and sign-stabilizing means movably mounted on the sign support intermediate the first and second sign engagement means whereby the sign support means is supported upon an underlying support surface by moving the stand means into the support position thereof, and the first and second sign engagement means are movable with respect to each other thereby to engage a sign therebetween, and the stabilizing means is movable along the sign support means thereby to engage and stabilize a sign mounted thereon between the first and second sign engagement means respectively.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel sup port structure for signs and the like of the type described above wherein the sign support means comprises a shaft having the first and second sign engagement means respectively and the sign stabilizing means movably disposed on the shaft.

bar telescopically disposed within the first tubular bar adjacent the upper end thereof.

In connection with the foregoing object, it is yet another object of this invention to provide a novel support structure for signs and the like of the type set forth wherein the first sign engagement means is mounted on the second tubular bar adjacent the upper end thereof whereby the first sign engagement means is movably responsive to the movement of the second tubular bar.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a novel support structure for signs and the like wherein the stand means comprises a yoke movably mounted on the sign support means and having a plurality of legs mounted thereon adjacent the inner ends thereof and the outer ends thereof provided for seatment upon an underlying support surface, each of the legs including a support bar having one end thereof pivotally mounted on the respective leg at a point spaced from the inner and outer ends thereof respectively, and the outer end thereof pivotally mounted on the sign support means adjacent the lower end thereof, and stop means mounted on the sign support means below the yoke thereby to prevent movement of the yoke downwardly below the stop means.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel support structure for signs and the like of the type set forth wherein the first and second sign engagement means respectively comprise slot means, each of the slot means being movably disposed with respect to the sign support means, the first slot means being adapted for engaging the upper edge of a sign supported on the structure and the second slot means being adapted for engaging the lower edge of a sign supported on the structure.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a novel support structure for signs and the like of the type set forth wherein the sign stabilizing means comprises a yoke movably disposed on the sign support structure and having a rib extending outwardly therefrom for engagement with corresponding receiving means provided in the sign supported thereon.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel support structure for signs and the like for seatment upon an underlying support surface comprising first tubular means having an upper and a lower end, first yoke means slidably disposed on the first tubular means adjacent the lower end thereof, a plurality of legs having the inner ends thereof mounted on the first yoke means and the outer ends thereof provided for seatment upon an underlying support surface, second tubular means telescopically disposed within the first tubular means and having an upper and a lower end, second yoke means mounted on the second tubular means adjacent the upper end thereof, the second yoke means provided with first engagement means for engaging one edge of a sign mounted on the structure, third yoke means slidably disposed on the first tubular means above the first yoke means and including holding means for maintaining the third yoke means in any desired position along the length of the first tubular means, the third yoke means provided with second engagement means for engaging the opposite edge of a sign supported on the structure, and fourth yoke means slidably disposed on the second tubular means intermediate the second and third yoke means respectively, the fourth yoke means provided with stabilizing means for stabilizing a sign supported on the structure, whereby the first yoke means may be slid downwardly to spread the legs apart into a support position for supporting the structure upon an underlying support surface and the first and second engagement means are movable with respect to one another in order to engage two opposing edges of a sign for supporting a sign on the structure and for adjusting the relative distance between the lower edge of the sign and the underlying support surface, and the stabilizing means being engageable with corresponding receiving means in the sign intermediate the first and second engagement means respectively for stabilizing the sign thereon.

Another object of this invention is to provide a support structure of the type set forth above wherein the first tubular means comprises a substantially hollow bar and the second tubular means comprises a bar having a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the first tubular means thereby to be telescopically disposed therein.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a novel support structure of the type set forth wherein the first yoke means comprises a collar having a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of the first tubular means thereby to be slidably disposed thereon, and having attachment means mounted thereon for attaching each of the legs to the collar, the attachment means comprising 'a'series of U-shaped flanges mounted on the collar in circumferential relation with respect to each other and extending laterally outwardly therefrom, and the inner ends of each of the legs having a flat section adapted for pivotal mounting between the respective arms of the U-shaped flanges.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel support structure of the type set forth which includes first stop means associated with the first yoke means thereby to limit the downward movement of the'first yoke means, and second stop means associated with the second tubular means for locking the second tubular means in telescoped relation with respect to the first tubular means.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a novel support structure for signs and the like of the type set forth wherein the second yoke means comprises a support member fixedly mounted on the second tubular means adjacent the upper end thereof, the support member including first sign engagement means fixedly mounted thereon whereby the first sign'engagement means and the support member are movably responsive to the movement of the second tubular means. I

In connection with the foregoing object, it is another object of this invention to provide a novel support structure of the type described wherein the first sign engagement means comprises an inverted V-shaped slot for receiving and engaging the top edge of a sign mounted upon the structure.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel support structure for signs and the like of the type set forth wherein the third yoke means comprises a collar having a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of the first tubular means whereby the collar is slidably disposed thereon, the collar including lock means for locking the collar in any desired position along the length of the first tubular means, and further including second sign engagement means fixedly mounted on the collar.

In connection with the foregoing object, it is still another object of this invention to provide a support structure of the type set forth wherein the second sign engagement means comprises a V-shaped slot for receiving and engaging the opposed edge of a sign supported on the structure.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a novel support structure for signs and the like of the type set forth wherein the fourth yoke means comprises a collar having a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of the second tubular means and slightly smaller than the diameter of the first tubular means slidably mounted on the second tubular means whereby the diameter of the collar permits sliding movement only along the length of the second tubular means, the collar further including a stabilizing rib fixedly mounted thereon and extending angularly outwardly therefrom and adapted for engagement with'a sign supported on the structure intermediate the engaged upper and lower ends of the sign.

' In connection with the foregoing object, it is still another object of this invention to provide a novel support structure of the type set forth wherein the fourth yoke means also includes adjustable stop means disposed thereon for locking the fourth yoke means in any desired position along the length of the second tubular means.

Further features of the invention pertain to the particular arrangement of the elements and parts whereby the aboveoutlined and additional operating features thereof are attained.

The invention both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the support structure embodying the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational fragmented view of the support structure taken in the direction of the arrows along the line 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the support structure taken in the direction of the arrows along the line 3-3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross section view of the support structure taken in the direction of the arrows along the line 4-4 in FIG. I; and

FIG. 5 is a cross section view of the support structure taken in the direction of the arrows along the line 5-5 in FIG. I; and

FIG. 6 is a cross section view of the support structure taken in the direction of the arrows along the line 6-6 in FIG. 1.

Generally, the novel support structure of the present invention includes a first hollow tubular barl0, stand means 20, having first yoke means'2l, and legs 25, for supporting the structure upon an underlying support surface, a second tubular bar 40, telescopically disposed within the first bar I0, the 1 second bar 40, having second yoke means 45, including first sign engagement means 50, disposed thereon, third yoke means 60, having second sign engagement means62, disposed thereon for receiving and engaging a sign 100, between the first sign engagement means 50, and the second sign engagement means 62, and fourth yoke means 80, having stabilizing means 85, mounted thereon for stabilizing the sign I00,

mounted thereon.

Referring more specifically to FIGS. I and 2 of the drawings, there is shown a support structure for supporting a sign 100, thereon comprising a first hollow tubular bar I0, having an upper end 11, and a lower end 12. The first bar I0, is in the form of a hollow substantially square tube. A pair of apertures 13 (see FIG. 4) are disposed through opposing sides of the first bar 10, proximate the upper end It thereof. Each side of the first bar 10, is provided with a first U-shaped attachment flange 14, mounted thereon by any suitable means, such as weldments, adjacent the lower end 12 of the first bar 10. The first bar 10 is also provided with first stop means 15, which consists of a rectangular plate 16, also mounted thereon by any suitable means, such as a weldment. In the embodiment of this invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first bar 10, is also provided with a tube guide 17 mounted thereon at the upper end 11 of the first bar 10. The tube guide 17 is also hollow, substantially square form, relatively short in height and has a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the first bar 10, but of sufficient dimensions in order to permit the tube guide 17, to be welded to the top surfaces of the upper end 11 of the first bar 10.

The support structure is also provided with stand means, generally designated by the numeral 20, and generally including first yoke means 21, a series of four legs 25, and support bars 30, for supporting the legs 25, with respect to the first bar 10. The first yoke means 21, consists of a collar 22, having a substantially square configuration and a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of the first bar I0. The collar 22, due to its slightly greater diameter, is slidably disposed on the first bar I0. Each side of the collar 22, is provided with a second U-shape flange 23 mounted thereon by any suitable means, such as a weldment, and extending laterally outwardly therefrom.

The stand means 20, also includes a series of four legs 25, each of which has an upper flattened section 26, and a lower support section 27. Each of the upper flattened sections 26, of

each leg 25, is adapted to be received between the arms of the associated second U-shaped attachment flange 23, on the collar 22, and secured therein by lock bolts 28, whereby each leg 25, is pivotally mounted to the collar 22, at its upper flattened section 26. Each leg is further provided with a U-shaped support flange 29, mounted thereon by any suitable means, such as a weldment, intermediate the upper flattened section 26, and the lower support section 27. A support bar 30, is provided for each leg 25, the support bar having an outer end 31, i and an inner end 32. The outer end 31, of the support bar 30, is sufficiently flat whereby it is inserted between the arms of the associated support flange 29, and pivotally mounted therebetween by outer lock bolts 33. Similarly, the inner end 32 of the support bar 30, is flattened whereby it is inserted between the arms of the associated first U-shaped attachment flange 14 on the first bar and pivotally mounted therebetween by inner lock bolts 34.

The support structure further includes a second tubular bar 40 having an upper end 41 and a lower end 42 telescopically disposed within the first tubular bar 10. The second bar 40, also has a substantially square configuration. However, the diameter of the second bar 40, is slightly smaller than the diameter of the tube guide 17, whereby the second bar 40 is telescopically slidable within the first bar 10. The lower end 42, of the second bar 40 has a bottom guide plate 43, mounted thereon which again has a diameter slightly smaller than that of the first bar 10, such that the telescopic movement of the second bar 40 is unimpeded. In the embodiment illustrated herein the second tubular bar 40 is hollow although it may be constructed of a solid tubular bar as well.

The upper end 41 of the second bar 40 is provided with a second yoke means 45 consisting of a central tubular housing 46 enveloped thereover and mounted thereon by means of lock bolts 47. A first angular tube 48, extends angularly laterally from the central tubular housing 46, and a second angular tube 49, extends angularly laterally therefrom in a direction opposed to the first angular tube 48 the first and second angular tubes 48 and 49 respectively forming a Y- shaped configuration with the central tubular housing 46. The central tubular housing 46, and the first and second angular tubes 48 and 49 respectively, are each hollow for a purpose to be described more fully hereinafter.

The second yoke means 45, further includes first sign engagement means 50 consisting of a facing plate 51 mounted on the outer surfaces of the central tubular housing 46 the first angular tube 48 and the second angular tube 49 respectively by any suitable means, such as weldments. The facing plate 51, has a first top flange 52, mounted thereon extending laterally outwardly therefrom and angularly between the upper end of the central tubular housing 46, and the upper end of the first angular tube 48. The first top flange 52, terminates at its outer edge in a first downtumed flange 53. The facing'plate 51, similarly includes a second top flange 54, mounted thereon extending laterally outwardly therefrom and angularly between the upper end of the central tubular housing 46, and the upper end of the second angular tube 49, the second top flange 54, also tenninating at its outer edge in a downturned flange 55. The facing plate 51, and the first and second downtumed flanges 53 and 55 respectively therefore cooperate to form an inverted V-shaped slot 56.

The downward movement of the second tubular bar 40, within the first tubular bar 10, is arrested by means of second stop means 57. The second stop means 57, consists of a pin 58, which is inserted through the apertures 13, provided in opposing faces of the first tubular bar 10, as previously described. Once the pin 58, is inserted through the apertures 13, the bottom guide plate 43, rests against the pin 58, as more clearly shown in FIG. 2. The pin 58, is carried on the support structure by a chain 59, mounted at its one end on the pin 58, and at its other end on a suitable mounting point.

The support structure is provided with third yoke means 60, which similarly consists of a collar 61, formed in a substantially square configuration and having a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of the first tubular bar 10, thereby to be slidably disposed thereon. The collar 61, carries second sign engagement means generally designated by the numeral 62. The second sign engagement means 62, consists of a facing plate 63, mounted on the front face of the collar 61, in linear alignment with the facing plate 51, mounted on the second yoke means 45. The facing plate 63, has a first bottom plate 64, mounted thereon extending laterally outwardly therefrom and angularly upwardly from the lower edge of the facing plate 63. The first bottom plate 64, terminates at its outer edge in a first upturned flange 65. Similarly, the facing plate 63, includes a second bottom plate 66, mounted thereon extending laterally outwardly therefrom and angularly upwardly from the lower edge of the facing plate 63, in a direction opposed to the first upturned flange 65, the second bottom plate 66, also terminating at its outer edge in a second upturned flange 67. The facing plate 63, and the first and second upturned flanges 65 and 67 respectively, cooperated to form a V-shaped slot 68 disposed in linear alignment with the inverted V-shaped slot 56, on the second yoke means 45.

The second sign engagement means 62, is therefore movable along the length of the first tubular bar 10, as the collar 61, is moved. The collar 61, is provided with lock means 70 thereon in order to lock the collar 61 in the desired position along the first tubular bar 10. The lock means 70, consists of an aperture (not shown) disposed through one side of the collar 61, with a threaded nut 71, mounted on the outside surface of the side having the aperture, the nut 71, being mounted directly over the aperture. A set screw 72, is threadedly mounted in the nut 71, whereby the inner end of the setscrew 72, may contact the first tubular bar 10, when it is screwed in thereby to lock the collar 61 in position.

The support structure further includes a fourth yoke means 80, consisting of a collar 81, disposed on the second tubular bar 40, and having a substantially square configuration, the diameter of the collar 81, being slightly greater than the diameter of the second tubular bar 40, and approximately equal to the diameter of the tube guide 17, and the central tubular housing 46, whereby the collar 81, is slidably disposed on the second tubular bar 40, between the central tubular housing 46, and the tube guide 17.

The collar 81, includes stabilizing means 85, mounted thereon for stabilizing the sign 100, supported by the structure. The stabilizing means 85, consists of a rib 86, mounted on one side of the collar 81, by means of a weldment 87. The rib 86 extends angularly outwardly and upwardly with respect to the collar 81 and is adapted for insertion through an aperture 101, provided in the sign thereby to stabilize the sign 100, supported on the structure. The collar 81 is further provided with third stop means 90, for locking the collar 81, in the stabilizing position. The third stop means 90, consists of an aperture 91 disposed in one side of collar 81, and having a threaded nut 92, mounted on the outside surface of the collar 81, overfacing the aperture 91. A set screw 93, is threadedly mounted through the nut 92, whereby the inner end of the set screw 93, will contact the second tubular bar 40, when the screw 93, is screwed into the nut 92.

In FIG. 3, the details of the second yoke means 45, and more particularly, the central tubular housing 46, the first angular tube 48, and the second angular tube 49, are illustrated. In this embodiment, the tubular housing 46, and the first and second angular tubes 48 and 49 respectively, are shown to be in form of substantially square tubes. These structures function as warning flag holders, and in the preferred embodiment, are substantially square in order to accommodate both square and round shaft flags.

FIG. 4 illustrates the relative positioning of the third yoke means 60, consisting of the collar 61, and having the lock means 70, engaged, the first tubular bar 10, the tube guide 17, and the second tubular 40. In addition, the positioning of the pin 58, is shown in the engaged position thereby to maintain the second tubular bar in the telescoped position. finally, the

relative diameters of the various parts can be more clearly observed, showing the collar 61, having the greatest diameter and the second tubular bar 40, having the smallest diameter.

In FIG. 5, the details of the pivotal mounting of the legs 25 on the first yoke means 21 is illustrated in detail. As shown, the flattened section 26 of the leg 25 is mounted between the arms of the associated second U-shaped attachment flange 23 by means of a lock bolt 28 in a loose-fitting arrangement. With such construction, lateral movement of the legs 25 is facilitated which adds to the stability of the structure when carrying a sign 100 thereon.

Finally, FIG. 6 illustrates the details of the pivotal mounting of the support bar 30 on the leg 25. The outer end 31 of the supportbar 30 is mounted between the arms of the associated U-shaped support flange 29 by means of an outer lock bolt 33, once again in a loose-fitting arrangement to add stability. FIG. 6 further illustrates the preferred construction for the legs 25 to be in the form of a 90 angle iron. With this construction, each leg 25 has two support points at itslower end 12 for resting upon an underlying support surface thereby once again adding to the stability of the structure.

In operation, the support structure is transported to the situs of use in the collapsed position wherein the pin 58 is withdrawn and the second tubular bar 40 telescoped downwardly until the lower end of the central tubular housing 46 is resting against the upper edge of the collar 81 of the fourth yoke means 80, and the collar 22 of the first yoke means 21 is slid upwardly along the first tubular bar until the legs and the support bars are substantially flush against the first tubular bar 10. In order to erect the structure and support the sign 100 thereon, the collar 22 of the first yoke means 21 is slid downwardly along the first tubular bar 10 until the legs 25 are spread apart to the distance permitted by the support bars 30. The second tubular bar 40 is then telescoped upwardly until the bottom guide plate 43 is raised abovethe apertures 13 in the first tubular bar 10 and then the pin 58 is inserted therethrough. The upper edge of the sign 100 is then placed in the inverted slot 56 of the first sign engagement means 50 and the lower edge thereof is placed in the slot 68 of the second sign engagement means 62. The fourth yoke means 80 is then slid along the second tubular bar 40 until the rib 86 is inserted through the aperture 101 in the sign 100. The relative distance between the lower edge of the sign I00 and the underlying support surface is then adjusted to the desiredheight and then the setscrew 72 of the lock means 70 is tightened and the setscrew 93 of the third stop means 90 is also tightened, and the structure is now in operation.

To disassemble the structure, the steps are merely reversed whereby the sign 100 is easily removed and the structure collapsed for easy transport to another location or for storage. The first stop means 15 is provided in order to prevent the accidental inversion of the legs 25 and support bars 30 should an operator lift the entire structure off of the underlying support surface. In this event, the first yoke means 21 would tend to travel downwardly thereby causing the legs 25 and the support bars 30 to become inverted. In this position, some difficulty could be encountered by the operator in attempting to right the structure.

it will be apparent from the foregoing description that various modifications may be made to the structure without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the sign engagement means may be constructed in the form of heavy-duty clips rather than slots; the various stop means and lock means may be varied; the stand means may be varied; the stabilizing means may consist of clips mounted on the rear surface of the sign with clip receiving means on the fourth yoke means in place of the rib structure disclosed in the preferred embodiment herein. The various component parts of the support structure are preferably formed of steel bar stock in order to produce a relatively heavyweight structure. For example, the first tubular bar 10 is a hollow bar formed of steel tubing while the second tubular bar 40 is formed of a solid steel bar. Hence, the'weight of the second tubular bar 40 urges the inverted slot 56 of the first sign engagement 50 into intimate contact with the top edge of the sign 100. Similarly, the legs 25 and associated elements of the stand means 20 are formed of heavyweight steel bar stock whereby the center of gravity of the structure'as a whole is sufficiently close to the lower end thereof whereby good stability is achieved.

In accordance with the foregoing description, it is apparent that there has been developed a support structure for signs and the like which is heavy duty while yet collapsible and easily transported. Furthermore, the support structure of this invention is provided with sign engagement means which are adjustable in order to accommodate various sizes of signs and and adjustable whereby the relative distance between the lower edge of the sign and the underlying support surface may be adjusted to the desired height. This feature is of great im-- portance in view of the fact that the various government agencies both federal and state, have different requirements in terms of the distance the sign must be raised from the road surface whereby this support structure may be used for jobs in all states. In addition, the support structure of this invention minimizes the number of moving parts which must be manipulated by the operator for assembly and disassembly thereof. Also, this support structure eliminates the need for additional weighted elements for stabilizing'the structure on an underlying support surface by virtue of the manner of construction.

In summary, a support structure accomplishing all of the foregoing objects and advantages has been developed and described herein.- While there has been described what is at present considered to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein, and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention We claim:

I. A support structure for signs and the like for seatment upon an underlying support surface comprising first tubular means having an upper and a lower end, first yoke means slidably disposed on said first tubular means adjacent the lower end thereof, a plurality of legs having the inner ends thereof mounted on said first yoke means and the outer ends thereof provided for seatment upon the underlying support surface, second tubular means telescopically disposed within said first tubular means and having an upper and a lower end, second yoke means mounted on saidsecond tubular m eans adjacent the upper end thereof, said second yoke means provided with first engagement means for engaging one edge of a sign mounted on said structure, said second yoke means being movably responsive to the movement of said second tubular means, third yoke means slidably disposed on said'first tubular means above said first yoke means and including holding means for maintaining said third yoke means in any desired position along the length of said first tubular means, said third yoke means provided with second sign engagement means for engaging the opposite edge of a sign supported on said structure, and fourth yoke means slidably disposed on said second tubular means intermediate said second and third yoke means respectively, said fourth yoke means provided with stabilizing means for stabilizing a sign supported on said structure, whereby said first yoke means may be slid downwardly to spread said legs apart into a support position for supporting said structure upon an underlying support surface and said first and second engagement means and stabilizing means are independently movable with respect to one another in order to engage two opposing edges of a sign for supporting a sign on said structure and for adjusting the relative distance between the lower edge of the sign and the underlying support surface, and said stabilizing means is engageable with corresponding receiving means in the sign intermediate said first and second engagement means respectively for stabilizing the sign thereon.

2. The support structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first sign engagement means comprises slot means movably disposed with respect to said sign support means and adapted for engaging the upper edge of a sign supported on said structure and said second sign engagement means comprises slot means movably disposed with respect to said sign support means and adapted for engaging the lower edge of a sign supported on said structure.

3. The support structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said legs further includes a support bar having an outer end pivotally mounted on said leg intermediate the outer and inner end thereof respectively, and an inner end mounted on said first tubular means adjacent the lower end thereof.

4. The support structure as set forth in claim 1, which further includes first stop means associated with said first yoke means thereby to limit the downward movement of said first yoke means.

5. The support structure as set forth in claim 1, which further includes stop means associated with said second tubular means for locking said second tubular means in telescoped relation with respect to said first tubular means.

6. The support structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein said fourth yoke means comprises a collar having a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of said second tubular means and slightly smaller than the diameter of said first tubular means slidably mounted on said second tubular means whereby the diameter of said collar permits sliding movement only along the length of said second tubular means, said collar including a stabilizing rib fixed mounted thereon and extending angularly outwardly therefrom and adapted for engagement with a sign supported on said structure intermediate the engaged upper and lower edges of the sign respectively.

7. The support structure as set forth in claim 6, which further includes adjustable second stop means provided on said fourth yoke means for locking said fourth yoke means in any desired position along the length of said 5 second tubular means. 

1. A support structure for signs and the like for seatment upon an underlying support surface comprising first tubular means having an upper and a lower end, first yoke means slidably disposed on said first tubular means adjacent the lower end thereof, a plurality of legs having the inner ends thereof mounted on said first yoke means and the outer ends thereof provided for seatment upon the underlying support surface, second tubular means telescopically disposed within said first tubular means and having an upper and a lower end, second yoke means mounted on said second tubular means adjacent the upper end thereof, said second yoke means provided with first engagement means for engaging one edge of a sign mounted on said structure, said second yoke means being movably responsive to the movement of said second tubular means, third yoke means slidably disposed on said first tubular means above said first yoke means and including holding means for maintaining said third yoke means in any desired position along the length of said first tubular means, said third yoke means provided with second sign engagement means for engaging the opposite edge of a sign supported on said structure, and fourth yoke means slidably disposed on said second tubular means intermediate said second and third yoke means respectively, said fourth yoke means provided with stabilizing means for stabilizing a sign supported on said structure, whereby said first yoke means may be slid downwardly to spread said legs apart into a support position for supporting said structure upon an underlying support surface and said first and second engagement means and stabilizing means are independently movable with respect to one another in order to engage two opposing edges of a sign for supporting a sign on said structure and for adjusting the relative distance between the lower edge of the sign and the underlying support surface, and said stabilizing means is engageable with corresponding receiving means in the sign intermediate said first and second engagement means respectively for stabilizing the sign thereon.
 2. The support structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first sign engagement means comprises slot means movably disposed with respect to said sign support means and adapted for engaging the upper edge of a sign supported on said structure and said second sign engagement means comprises slot means movably disposed with respect to said sign support means and adapted for engaging the lower edge of a sign supported on said structure.
 3. The support structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said legs further includes a support bar having an outer end pivotally mounted on said leg intermediate the outer and inner end thereof respectively, and an inner end mounted on said first tubular means adjacent the lower end thereof.
 4. The support structure as set forth in claim 1, which further includes first stop means associated with said first yoke means thereby to limit the downward movement of said first yoke means.
 5. The support structure as set forth in claim 1, which further includes stop means associated with Said second tubular means for locking said second tubular means in telescoped relation with respect to said first tubular means.
 6. The support structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein said fourth yoke means comprises a collar having a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of said second tubular means and slightly smaller than the diameter of said first tubular means slidably mounted on said second tubular means whereby the diameter of said collar permits sliding movement only along the length of said second tubular means, said collar including a stabilizing rib fixedly mounted thereon and extending angularly outwardly therefrom and adapted for engagement with a sign supported on said structure intermediate the engaged upper and lower edges of the sign respectively.
 7. The support structure as set forth in claim 6, which further includes adjustable second stop means provided on said fourth yoke means for locking said fourth yoke means in any desired position along the length of said second tubular means. 